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Suggest Remedies For Blastocystis Hominis
Question: Good morning, my daughter has been diagnosed having caught a parasite called " blastocystis hominis" causing constant bloating and cramps, she has been on an antibiotic treatment but she is experiencing some side effects (insomnia, abdominal cramps, nausea). She lives in Geneva (Switzerland) and has been having problems in finding a doctor who can sort out her problem. Any chance of help. ?
Brief Answer:
there are some alternatives regarding her treatment
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
let me start from this; Blastocystis hominis is not necessarily the cause of her symptoms. Many individuals have this "parasite" in their intestine (5% in developed, 40% in developing countries) without any symptoms. That's why this parasite's role in disease is disputable by many experts.
If there is no other obvious cause for her symptoms then current treatment options include one of the following:
- metronidazole 750mg three times a day or 1500mg once a day for 10 days
- trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (double strength 800/160) twice a day for 7 days
- iodoquinol 650mg three times a day for 20 days
- nitazoxanide 500mg twice a day for 3 days
Metronidazole which is the most common first option may sometimes be ineffective (resistant pathogens).
So if her doctor believes that Blastocystis is the cause of her symptoms then one of the aforementioned 4 options can be chosen. If the symptoms persist despite adequate treatment with one of the above agents and your daughter still carries Blastocystis then another treatment option can be tried.
I hope it helps!
Kind Regards!
there are some alternatives regarding her treatment
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
let me start from this; Blastocystis hominis is not necessarily the cause of her symptoms. Many individuals have this "parasite" in their intestine (5% in developed, 40% in developing countries) without any symptoms. That's why this parasite's role in disease is disputable by many experts.
If there is no other obvious cause for her symptoms then current treatment options include one of the following:
- metronidazole 750mg three times a day or 1500mg once a day for 10 days
- trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (double strength 800/160) twice a day for 7 days
- iodoquinol 650mg three times a day for 20 days
- nitazoxanide 500mg twice a day for 3 days
Metronidazole which is the most common first option may sometimes be ineffective (resistant pathogens).
So if her doctor believes that Blastocystis is the cause of her symptoms then one of the aforementioned 4 options can be chosen. If the symptoms persist despite adequate treatment with one of the above agents and your daughter still carries Blastocystis then another treatment option can be tried.
I hope it helps!
Kind Regards!
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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